"James Schaller illustrated the power of music in supporting healing in his workshop, "The Blessings of Music." His articulate description of qualities in music that are appropriate both in recovery and in the hospice situation was beautifully illustrated by selected music. The workshop held
the interest of both professional musicians and of non-musicians who would be selecting recorded music for patients."

Pamela M. Kircher, M.D. Family Physician and Hospice Doctor Medical Director of the Wellness Center, Mercy Medical Center Durango, Colorado

"James Schaller is well prepared to train others to visit and minister to the sick and dying. I have no reservations whatever in recommending James to any church wishing to increase its visitation effectiveness."

Paul Haken, Visitation Pastor

About James Schaller

WHAT IS THE 2ND QUANTUM LAW OF R plus R?

While growing up I was instinctively drawn to the mysterious power of music. I would spend hours transfixed with and transformed by music. I felt intuitively that there was a deep, hidden quality to the music that was affecting me on many levels.

As a touring, professional musician I plumbed the depths of the 2nd Quantum Law of R plus R - fast song they dance fast – slow song they dance slow. Hmmm…..could there be some hidden power just beyond my grasp? Knowing that to understand the invisible I must study the visible, I pursued a career as producer, composer and entrepreneur.

I had a profound experience playing at the bedside of a dear friend who was near transistion. I found music could have dramatic, positive effects to reduce pain and anxiety while supporting healing. This experience began a wonderful journey as I traveled to learn all I could about how music can heal our body, mind and spirit.

I now create media that brings comfort and healing to people everywhere and direct a foundation that supports therapeutic music programs in hospices.

James Schaller CV Listen to James on National Public Radio

HARP GUITAR

Q: WHAT DO YOU GET A GUITARIST WHO HAS EVERYTHING?

I don’t usually subscribe to ‘string envy’. However, it can be an occupational hazard for a guitarist in the therapeutic music world. Get used to it. You’re going to be outnumbered and ‘outstringed’ by harpists. Yep, those nice women who play those beautiful harps in all kinds of medical settings can sling a mean harp when it comes to tonal range. Hey, even a ‘modest’ harp has about 32 strings. And watch out when they bring in the heavy artillery – the concert harp. It has more foot pedals than my pedal steel guitar!

So there I was at the conference along with a handful of ‘other’ instruments surrounded by beautiful harps….and their range aaahhhh! I can’t play that low, I can’t play that high. I’m experiencing…………. STRING ENVY!

Well it took five years for me to research and design the guitarist’s ultimate weapon against the harp. I discovered that there is a tradition of string-challenged guitarists, and lute players, etc. that dates back to the Renaissance. In the early part of the 20th century guitars with increased string count and expanded range began to appear.

That tradition has continued with a few excellent guitar builders delving into new territory with designs to appease the guitarist suffering with ‘string envy’. My own personal hero is luthier Alan Perlman in San Francisco.

Alan’s special challenge was to build me a nylon-strung harp guitar and make it all fit on a classical guitar body. Alan stepped up to the plate and designed an exquisite instrument that exceeded my expectations. http://www.perlmanguitars.com

One of my musical inspirations for the harp guitar is John Doan. Please visit John’s site for a detailed history of the harp guitar and sample his beautiful Celtic-inspired music. http://www.johndoan.com

Now when I arrive at any gathering of therapeutic musicians I am no longer intimidated by harp overload and string envy. I take my seat, smile and with great delight I open my case and pull out my 19-STRING HARP GUITAR! I am no longer string-challenged! I can play about as high or low as most of those harps.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the expanded range allows me to use lower and higher frequencies that resonate in a great variety of bone structures within the body.

You can hear the harp guitar on the Guided Imagery downloads

Q: WHAT DO YOU GET A GUITARIST THAT HAS EVERYTHING?

A: 13 MORE STRINGS!